Page 2 of The Pursuit of Her Happiness

“What the fuck?” Ford closes the distance between us fast, his lips curled in a snarl. The entire clubroom stops, even the rhythmic skin slapping from Jane Goodall’s primal mating subjects. He stops right in front of us, his body rigid, shoulders up by his ears. I don’t like this version of Ford and my gut drops knowing that whatever is about to come out of his mouth I’m going to like even less. “What’s going on, Quinn? I didn’t want you, so you set your sights on the lonely widower? Or do you want to be a lobbyist? Spreading your legs for any brother willing to give your used up cunt a try?”

My eyes well with sad, angry tears. My arms and legs tingle. My heart races uncontrollably in my chest. I can’t even formulate a response; my tongue is suddenly too thick for my mouth.I feel Adams shift me over and he stands. I know he’s going to hit Ford, and he has every right to. No matter what Ford’s problem is with me, he brought an officer of the club into it, insulted him, disrespected him. He’s going to be punished for that transgression.

Chastity jumps off Langley’s lap and steps toe to toe with Ford. “Such a fucking cliché, Ford. You don’t want her, but you don’t want anyone else having her either.” Oh, sweet girl. She shouldn’t have done that. She’s just a lobbyist, a club whore. She can’t talk to a member like that. I want to vomit right now. I won’t let her be punished for this. I can’t.

Ford’s hard gaze runs up and down her body. “What’s the matter, Chastity, you heard ‘used up cunt’ and thought I was talking to you?”

Oh, no he didn’t. I’m on my feet, my tongue unstuck, and my arm cocked back. Langley pulls Chastity to the side before she can slap Ford and leaves me the opening I need to punch Ford in the face. His head snaps to the side and blood sprays from his mouth.

Ow! Ow! Ow! Punching fucking hurts.

“QUINN!”

In that moment, Madison’s bellow still echoing in my ears, I realize my life is about to completely change. Again. Fucking hell. I really liked it here. The people, the family, the opportunity to belong. And Audrey…we might not be from the same clam, but she is still my jam.

Ford’s head slowly swivels back until our eyes meet and hold. The last bit of rose-colored glasses shatters and I see the real Ford…for the first time. A scared, pathetic, little boy. My Enzo is almost 9 years old and more man than he will ever be.

In my periphery, Madison approaches me, but I hold my hand up to stop him, never taking my eyes from Ford. “I know, Madison, I broke MC law and hit a patched member. Close ranks, protect your precious brother, do what you gotta do. I’m done with him.” The color drains from Ford’s face, remorse etching every line. Too late, fucker. I meet Madison’s glare. “And I’m done with the club.”

My back straight, my head raised, I stride confidently out of the clubhouse, letting the door slam shut behind me. It’s not until I’m two blocks away from the clubhouse that the enormity of the situation hits me.

I’ve just lost the only family I have, outside of my kids. My parents suck, my sister is long dead, Joe is…preoccupied, and his family is more bitter than he is. The Congressionals and Audrey were my family. And now they are gone.

And I think I broke my hand.

Quinn 2.

Ice pack on my throbbing hand, I sit in my living room in my favorite recliner and stare at the ceiling. What the fuck happened tonight?

“Ford…I like you.”

He grins, his eyes teasing, “I like you too, Quinn.”

I laugh nervously, “No, Ford. I like you; I’m attracted to you. We’ve been friends—”

Ford swallows hard, “Best friends.”

“Yes!” I nod emphatically, “Yes. Best friends. And I think…I want more. The boys love you, and you are so good to them. I just feel…when we met, it was like being struck by lightning. I knew instantly that you were going to be important in my life.”

“You are important to me too. And those boys…they’re good kids.” He stalks across his bedroom, his hands behind his head when he spins around. “You’re standing in my room, Quinn, professing your love to me.” My chin dips once, bile rising in my throat. This isn’t going to go the way I wanted it to. “And I just fucked Taffy and Belly in here not two hours ago.”

“Oh.” I knew that. I mean, not that he’d done it two hours ago, but I know he’s been with the lobbyists. I’ve watched him walk up here with them enough times. And it stings. Each and every time. The charity gala was fucking rough. I was his date, andhe left me to fuck some random chick in the bathroom, then dragged me onto the dance floor with her lipstick on his neck. God, I’m a fucking idiot. But I had to give it one last try. I’d kick myself if I didn’t tell him how I felt.

“You’re Quinn. My Quinn. But…I don’t want to fuck you. Like at all.” I hold up my hand to stop him, but he doesn’t stop. No, he completely decimates me instead. “I fuck the lobbyists, two or three at a time. Women come onto me everywhere I go, and I greedily sample what the world has to offer. I love pussy in every color, but I don’t love fat pussy.” I’d hate to think how he’d treat me if I wasn’t his best friend.

“Ford—”

“I can’t get it up for pussy that’s spit out three kids. I ain’t never had a female friend before, Quinn. But I knew you would be the first because I don’t want to see you naked—”

“You’ve made your point, Ford. And I thank you for yourbrutalhonesty.” Closing my eyes, I will the threat of tears to retreat. Opening them, I meet Ford’s stare. I’m not sure what he sees right now, but his entire demeanor changes. He softens, though a little apprehensive.

“Quinn, babe—”

“Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you around.”

“Quinn-“ I shut his bedroom door behind me, blocking out whatever he was going to say. And I make it to the bottom of the stairs into the clubroom without him following me.

“Hey, girly, wanna join us for a drink?” Audrey yells out to me, smiling from her seat next to Stacy, Betty, and Chastity. I force a smile in return, loving how they include Chastity, even though she’s a lobbyist and not an ol’ lady.

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